International Certified Crop Advisor Exam

List the 17 elements essential for plant nutrition

C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Mo, Ni

List beneficial elements

Si, Na, Co, Se

What elements are macronutrients

Includes C, O, H, N, K, Ca, Mg, P, and S

What elements are micronutrients

Cl, Fe, B, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo

What macros/micros are mobile

N, P, K

What macros/micros are immobile

C, H, O, Ca, Mg, S

What is the chemical uptake form of Sulfur (S)?

Sulfate (SO4^2-)

What is the chemical uptake form of Nitrogen (N)?

Nitrate (NO3-) and Ammonium (NH+4)

What is the chemical uptake form of Phosphorus (P)?

Phosphate (H2PO4-) and (HPO2-4)

What is the chemical uptake form of Potassium (K)?

Potassium Ion (K+)

What is the chemical uptake form of Calcium (Ca)?

Calcium Ion (Ca2+)

What is the chemical uptake form of Magnesium (Mg)?

Magnesium Ion (Mg 2+)

What is the chemical uptake form of Carbon (C)?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

liquid phase- dissolved nutrients as ions

soil solution

positively charged (cations) in soil solution that exchanged with those on the surface of the soil particles

cation exchange sites

decomposed plant/animal material

organic matter

inorganic soil components

soil minerals

remains of plants- leaves, stalks, roots

plant residue

O.M. broken down to a form the plant can use

nutrient mineralization

inorganic nutrients taken by microorganisms that are unavailable to the plant

immobilization

the uptake of one nutrient interferes with another

Uptake antagonism between ions

the movement of nutrients through the soil solution

mass flow

nutrients move from high to low concentration

diffusion

roots come in contact and absorb nutrients directly through contact

root interception

how does CEC influence the mobility of cations and anions

lower CEC- less nutrients higher CEC- more nutrients

Which Ions are mobile in the soil?

Nitrate (NO3-), Sulfate (SO42-), and Potassium (K+)

What ions are immobile in the soil?

Ammonium (NH4+), Phosphate (H2PO4+), Calcium (Ca2+), and Magnesium (Mg2+)

a soils proportion of sand, silt, and clay

texture

how soil particles are arranged

soil structure

the ability of a soil to allow water/air to move through it

drainage/aeration

the amount of water in the soil

soil moisture

acidity/alkalanity in soil.

pH

Affects root growth/nutrient availability

temperature

What are some advantages/limitations to surface broadcast?